TONY FROST has switched from keeping wicket to preparing wickets in his new job as a member of Warwickshire's groundstaff.

Frost, 30, announced his retirement from playing two weeks ago because of a chronic hip injury.

Frost, who joined Warwickshire in 1994 and made his first-class debut three years later, was given a special presentation at Warwickshire's end-of-season reception on Saturday to mark his long service to the county.

But he has been back at work at Edgbaston this week in his new job as a trainee groundsman under the supervision of head groundsman Steve Rouse.

Frost, who is hoping to obtain groundsmanship qualifications during the winter, has been helping to dig up the three pitches on the Edgbaston square which will be relaid during the winter.

"I'm delighted that the club have given me the opportunity to stay and work with Steve and the boys," Frost said.

"I need all the experience I can get and these guys have been in the trade for ages and have the knowledge.

"It is going to be a change from cricket but I am looking forward to the fresh challenge ahead."

Meanwhile Warwickshire all-rounder Dougie Brown has been forced to withdraw from the MCC's ground-breaking tour to mainland China next month.

Brown has pulled out of the trip, the first by a senior English representative side to China, because of the back injury that ruled him out of the final month of the season.

The MCC, who will be captained by Kent's former England left-arm spinner Min Patel, will play matches in Beijing and Shanghai as well as Hong Kong.